Bangladesh winning the first ODI by a whopping 79 runs will be enough to stoke the fire of an opponent that had enjoyed an unbeaten 16-year run. For once, in the history of Bangladesh-Pakistan matches, it is a real contest. The second ODI holds so much promise; the series is on the line.
Pakistan played the first match with seven changes to the XI that lost the World Cup quarter-final against Australia last month. Two players made their debuts and the batting line up was rejigged. The new ODI captain Azhar Ali did his part with 72 off 73 balls, while Haris Sohail and Mohammad Rizwan also made half-centuries. Mohammad Hafeez and Fawad Alam did not contribute much.
Azhar and the Pakistan coach Waqar Younis have a tricky job of fine-tuning the batting order. They won’t want to expose their best batsmen too early, but someone like Fawad Alam could also use more time at the crease. They need runs to enhance the threat posed by their strength – the pace attack and Saeed Ajmal.
Wahab Riaz took four wickets, but Rahat Ali and Junaid Khan had little success or control. Ajmal conceded 74 runs in ten overs too. Pakistan have to pick a fifth bowler or Azhar Ali must juggle the part-timers with a more imagination.
Bangladesh are still riding the wave of their World Cup performance. Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim scored hundreds and put together a record ODI partnership for the team. They batted with a rarely seen confidence, while their bowlers did an efficient job of defending a large total.
Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed shared six wickets, but Rubel Hossain’s verve would have encouraged the team management. Mashrafe Mortaza now looks like the perfect foil for the two young pace bowlers, as he will return after serving his over-rate ban.
Form guide
Bangladesh WLLWW (last five matches, most recent first) Pakistan LLWWW
In the spotlight
Arafat Sunny’s three wickets in the first ODI took his tally to 11 in his last three home matches. The left-arm spinner is accurate and has a mean arm-ball that is faster than his stock delivery. Bangladesh will expect more control from him in the second game.
Azhar Ali had a tough captaincy debut but considering it was his first ODI in more than two years, he exceeded expectations. He scored at a brisk rate, much faster than his career strike-rate. He will be expected to contribute more as an opener and captain to justify his elevation to leadership.
Team news
With Mashrafe returning, he is most likely to replace Abul Hasan, who conceded 42 runs in five overs in the first game. The rest of Bangladesh’s line-up should remain unchanged.
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Mahmudullah, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Nasir Hossain, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Arafat Sunny, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Rubel Hossain
Pakistan might pick a fifth bowler because their three part-timers went for 79 in ten overs. Ehsan Adil has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Umar Gul, who is part of the T20 team, has replaced him and could have a shot at playing his first international match since December 2014. Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar is another option.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 2 Azhar Ali (capt), 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Haris Sohail, 5 Mohammad Rizwan, 6 Fawad Alam, 7 Saad Nasim/Zulfiqar Babar, 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Junaid Khan, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Rahat Ali
Pitch and conditions
The Mirpur pitch will continue to make teams want to bat first. A bit of movement will be on offer if it is humid, but a 2:30 pm start usually makes for a big first-innings total. The forecast suggests a chance of a shower later in the evening.
Stats and trivia
Mashrafe Mortaza will become the third Bangladesh cricketer to play 150 ODIs. He has played 147 for his country, and two for Asia XI in 2007.
Mohammad Rizwan is the ninth Pakistan batsman to make a 50-plus score on ODI debut.
Quotes
“We can win like we did in the first ODI consistently. I believe we can win the series. The first win has boosted our confidence but we must remember that the second game won’t be easy either.”
Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan.
“I think my team will come back strong. I know my team. As a bowling unit they will bounce back, you will see a much more improved performance in the next game.”
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali.
